Scars decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing VA and private treatment records, which are necessary for a proper evaluation of the Veteran's right shoulder scar.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for dermatitis is granted. The appeal is granted to that extent only, as the initial rating for PTSD is granted at 70 percent and an effective date prior to June 8, 2016 is denied. An earlier effective date of June 8, 2015 for coronary artery disease bypass scar is granted, but no effective date prior to June 8, 2016 for service connection for allergic rhinitis or PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment status and the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The Veteran needs to provide updated information, and a VA examination is required to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a fractured left wrist with residual scar since July 25, 2018 is denied. The highest schedular rating available based on limitation of motion throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC based on need for aid and attendance claims have been denied due to the lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's GAD was granted service connection effective August 6, 2012. The increased rating for wrist scars is granted and the effective date is set at October 22, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable for the period prior to January 9, 2020. The Board found that he maintained employment through at least early 2020 and his contentions were outweighed by the opinions of VA examiners.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development regarding his lumbar spinal stenosis, status post-operative scar. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records and clarify the severity of the Veteran's flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as her service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for restless leg syndrome has been withdrawn.,New and material evidence having been received, the application to reopen the previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for bladder cancer (papillary urothelial carcinoma), a prostate disorder, and erectile dysfunction have been granted.,Entitlement to service connection for status-post bladder (papillary urothelial) carcinoma with residual scars is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure.,Entitlement to service connection for a prostate disorder secondary to bladder carcinoma residuals is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for hernia secondary to prostate disorder residuals is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction remains pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment, as he has maintained a successful rental property business and works part-time as a consultant.

The Board restored the Veteran's disability rating for scar with pain status post coccyx removal from noncompensable to 10 percent effective February 4, 2016.

The Board denied a TDIU from July 10, 2012 to May 12, 2014 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not precluding him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder and inguinal hernia residual scar alone do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted a TDIU, but the case is remanded for further action on the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted, but the specific conditions and issues are not fully specified in the provided text.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensable ratings for his scars, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the size or instability of the scar. The Veteran was granted service connection for the appendectomy scar in 1997, but no new evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating from September 30, 2008 to March 2, 2011. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of audiogram records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability was denied as the evidence did not show that the condition met the criteria for a disability rating greater than 40 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his scar was also denied, as there were no findings of instability or pain in the scar.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's appendectomy and its relationship to his service, including whether it is related to or caused by a service-connected umbilical hernia.